*The following stay was hosted by Wyndham IDrive Orlando but all thoughts and reviews are my own*
This past weekend we went just an hour down I4 and stayed at the Wyndham IDrive Orlando Resort and it did not disappoint! We were smack dab in the middle of International Drive which, if you have ever visited Orlando or if you’re from the area, you know that means we were at the center of everything! International Drive is a stretch of roadway that has everything from shops to restaurants to the iconic ICON Park where you can hop on The Wheel and see Orlando from heights unknown!
This weekend was a tad cold in Florida sense so we weren’t actually able to spend much time in the pool except for our first night but we did get to explore the grounds and also take a short walk to ICON Park. There are two pools and a hot tub at one pool which is amazing! We stayed in a family suite and let me tell you, that was the best! The kids had their own little area with a bunk bed and a TV while Robert and I got to enjoy a King bed to ourselves!
Being that it was a tad chilly out, we spent Saturday at Orlando WinterFest which was just a short 5 minute drive from the hotel to the Orange County Convention Center. The kids got to play in “snow”, eat some delicious food, see all types of vendors, have a socially distance visit with Santa and rode on a little train as well. It was nice to not be far from the hotel and go back for nap time and relaxation time. My husband and I grabbed some chicken nachos from the poolside grill, Gatorville, and ate it in the room while the kids napped. Definitely some delicious nachos! I feel like every time we stay somewhere, we always get nachos…seems to be our thing!
That night, we had dinner and then went to ICON Park for a ride on The Wheel and also to see Santa there as well! All the Santa visits this weekend! My anxiety was high just thinking about how high up we’d be in The Wheel but I was also extremely excited. We already had our tickets so we just went through security check and headed to the door but not before stopping to get a White Claw for momma and a beer for dad because, I definitely needed a drink to even attempt to get on! While I was insanely nervous once we got to the top and didn’t look out much, I do have to say it was a great view. You could see all of Orlando from up there and at night with all the lights, it was definitely breathtaking!
Afterwards, we headed to the Pearl Express right outside the Santa’s Workshop Experience and the kids rode that little train as well. We walked around ICON Park seeing all the different restaurants and then got to watch a gender reveal right on the grounds in front of The Wheel. It was a very cool experience! We got the kids some Ben & Jerry’s and then headed to our appointment to see Santa! It was a short walk back to the room after that and we just spent the night relaxing, watched a Christmas movie in our bed with all the kids with our snacks that my husband had ran earlier to get from Walgreens (another short walk from our room). The next morning, we got up and moved all our luggage out to the car and then letthe kids ran around the grounds in front of where our room was and they got to race daddy. It was such a beautiful area with all the flowers and fountains!
This weekend was nothing short of amazing and much needed family time after a crazy week! Wyndham IDrive is definitely the place to stay if you are planning on doing a staycation in Orlando and wanting to be in the center of all things IDrive. We loved that everything was just a short walk and we didn’t really have the need to drive our car anywhere. It was so nice to get out and explore Orlando! Living here for most of my life and I’ve never truly walked down I-Drive so that was a first for me and the kids but, it was such a nice time. The memories we made this weekend will just last an entire lifetime!
I also want to point out that we felt safe the entire time when it comes to health concerns! Masks are required when entering the hotel and housekeeping does not enter your room while you are there. If you need anything then just call down to the front office and they will drop off more towels, shampoo, etc. to your door. At ICON Park, masks are required inside all places and even when you are outside. Everyone socially distanced to the best of their ability and after we got off The Wheel, it was wiped down and sanitized immediately. Orlando is definitely doing their part when it comes to safety and cleanliness.
Enjoy some more photos of our weekend below!
[…] to ICON Park! I have shared with you many times from restaurants located there to the always fun Wheel at ICON Park, there is just so much to do in this […]